Ancient stones speak tongues of history
a truth of time buried beneath our fears
forgotten knowledge told as mystery.
Only a few can hear stones speak clearly
bestowed this dying gift they walk in tears
ancient stones speak tongues of history.
A history if lost is gone in misery
it bears wisdom of times we made unclear
forgotten knowledge told as mystery.
Alone among the hills lives a gypsy
she hears stones tell ancient stories when near
ancient stones speak tongues of history.
One must believe and listen gingerly
in hopes to hear an ancient stone appear
forgotten knowledge told as mystery.
Stones tell the truths we lost in memory
the day we ran like fools from nature’s sphere
ancient stones speak tongues of history
forgotten knowledge told as mystery.
©River 3/11
villanelle rules: 19 lines, 2 repeating rhymes and 2 refrains, 5 tercets and 1 quatrain, A1 b A2 / a b
A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 / a b A2 / a b A1 A2.- capitals refrain lower case rhymes.
1 and 3 line of 1st tercet repeated alternately in the last lines of the succeeding stanzas; then in the final stanza, the refrain serves as the poem's two concluding lines
21 comments:
we tend to ignore what nature is telling us..i like that you've woven the gypsy into your villanelle river
I find this quite enchanting...and such wisdom.
Beautiful River, there is so much we have forgotten, because we do not take the time to look and listen.
nice. i wish i could hear the tales of the stones...in that i envy the gypsy...but every once in a while i hear the echoes....great one shot...
Absolutely gorgeous. I love the concept of speaking stones River, and the repetition of the vilanelle, strength of the refrains just makew this a magical piece.
Beautiful, as always, River.
I really keyed in on the stanzd starting with "Only a few can hear stones speak clearly..." We move so quickly in our world today and with this reminder I will set out to hear the stones. You are always inspirational.
Good read, impressive on all levels.
"A history if lost is gone in misery / it bears wisdom of times we made / unclear forgotten knowledge told as mystery." Very true. Also like how you have the word history repeat— history repeating proverbially through your poem.
Beautiful, beautiful.
I have never tried a villanelle.
I wouldn't dare...you do it so well.
Lady Nyo
well done River!
I've never heard of a villanelle!
what a challenge
I know it would be for me
loved it!
thank you
Great villanelle...and this speaks so of where you live...Minnesota all the stones and the mystic magic of the tribes that lived in at area.....the river is beautiful where you live...I have stay there a few years back at a bed & breakfast....being raised in central Minnesota...this write really speaks to me....thank you River...you gave me a trip home...bkm
Great to have the chance to see this one again, Great Villanelle, if only everyone would listen.
I enjoyed this immensely; in some ways, it reminded me of Diana Gabaldon Outlander series, where the characters would travel back in time through ancient rocks… i.e. Stonehenge. Again, wonderful piece of writing!
I love this form and you weave a wonderful tale with it !! Great use of your words !
wonderfully written.....stonehenge comes to my mind too...love that place must see it 5 06 times a year
I like to pick up ancient stones and listen to their stories (or try, anyway).
That river picture turned 90 degrees clockwise really caught my eye.
Another nice write, River!
"Stones tell the truths we lost in memory"
What a beautiful words, I enjoyed it. I have always thought that God writes in nature for us and we never read His messages.
I´m honored to read your poem. Thanks for share River.
"Stones tell the truths we lost in memory"
What a beautiful words, I enjoyed it. I have always thought that God writes in nature for us and we never read His messages.
I´m honored to read your poem. Thanks for share River.
We sometimes get so absorbed in our daily trivialities, that we forget to pause and listen to what those stones have to tell us.. Bless the gypsies for being there to tell us these stories..
Enjoyed this lovely ride along memory's lanes, River.. it felt like flowing along a giggling stream.. lovely!
Dear River
Oh Yes, the whole of universe as its said in Buddhism is in one speck of dust.. and your this verse re-iterates it so well.. there are so much of a story there, if only we can look at it deeply.
Thanks for sharing...
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/03/whispers-memories-from-living.html
At Twitter @VerseEveryDay
I remember how difficult writing a villanelle was for me. Yours comes out as if you're speaking, comfortably and relaxed, to and old friend. Perfect expression of a gift some will never experience.
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